Recording and/or reproducing apparatus and recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

A recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a microphone, a semiconductor memory, an operating section and a controller. An output signal from the microphone is written in the semiconductor memory and the written signals are read out from the semiconductor memory. The operating section performs input processing for writing a digital signal outputted by an analog/digital converter, reading out the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory and for erasing the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory. The control section controls the writing of the microphone output signal in the semiconductor memory based on an input from the operating section and the readout of the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory. The control section operates so that, if, when the signals written in the storage section is read out from it, an input for erasure is entered by the operating section, the signal being read out from the storage section is erased when, after reading out the signal from the storage section for a pre-set period, an input for erasure is again entered from the operating section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/242,472 filed Oct. 3, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/804,008 filed Mar. 12, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.7,127,306, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated hereinby reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/804,008 is a divisional ofU.S. application Ser. No. 08/924,091 filed Sep. 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,289,253, and claims priority from Japanese Application Nos.P08-246686 filed Sep. 18, 1996, P08-246680 filed Sep. 18, 1996 andP08-246681 filed Sep. 18, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and arecording apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a recording and/orreproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus employing asemiconductor memory as a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a sound recording device, a tape recorder, a digital audio taperecorder (DAT) or a device employing a magneto-optical disc, is inwidespread use. If, in these recording devices, recorded audio data, forexample, is erased from the recording medium, the user designates anaddress of desired audio data and presses an erasure button for erasingthe audio data.

In erasing the pre-set information signal from the recording medium, thecontents of erasure cannot be confirmed once the erasure button ispressed, such that there is a risk of inadvertent erasure of theinformation signal not desired to be erased by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide arecording and/or reproducing device which resolves the above-mentionedproblems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recordingdevice which resolves the above-mentioned problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording and/orreproducing apparatus includes a microphone, a storage section, anoperating section and a controller. An output signal from the microphoneis written in the storage section and the written signals are read outfrom the storage section The operating section performs input processingfor writing a digital signal outputted by an analog/digital converter,reading out the digital signal stored in the storage section and forerasing the digital signal stored therein. The control section controlsthe writing of the microphone output signal in the storage section basedon an input from the operating section and the readout of the digitalsignal stored in the storage section. The control section operates sothat, if, when the signals written in the storage section is read outfrom it, an input for erasure is entered by the operating section, thesignal being read out from the storage section is erased when, afterreading out the signal from the storage section for a pre-set period, aninput for erasure is again entered from the operating section

According to the present invention, there is also provided a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus including a microphone, a storage section,a detection mechanism and a control section. An output signal of themicrophone and management data for managing the output signal arewritten in the storage section. The detection mechanism detects that alid for opening/closing the battery housing section has been moved to aposition of opening the battery housing section. The controller controlswriting of the microphone output signal in the storage section. Ondetecting the movement by the detection mechanism of the lid to aposition of opening the battery housing section, the control sectionmanages control for stopping the writing of the microphone output signalin the storage section and for writing the write-inhibited microphoneoutput signal in the storage section.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus including a microphone, a storage section,a detection mechanism and a control section. An output signal of themicrophone and management data for managing the output signal arewritten in the storage section. The operating section performs inputprocessing for writing a digital signal outputted by an analog/digitalconverter, reading out the digital signal stored in the storage sectionand for erasing the digital signal stored in the storage section. Theilluminating section illuminates the display section. The controlsection controls the writing of the microphone output signal in thestorage section and readout of the signal stored in the storage sectionbased on an input from the operating section. The control section alsocauses the illuminating section to illuminate the display section basedon an input from the operating section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an IC recorderembodying the present invention,.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodyingthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view showing the structure of an IC recorder embodyingthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of a power sourcecircuit of the IC recorder.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the recording operation of the ICrecorder.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reproducing operation of the ICrecorder.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the erasure operation of the IC recorder.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the change of the operating mode of the ICrecorder.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control of a back-light of the ICrecorder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the recording and/or reproducing device ofthe present invention will be explained in detail. In explaining therecording and/or reproducing device according to the present invention,a recording and/or reproducing employing a semiconductor storage as arecording medium and designed for storing the speech in thesemiconductor storage, referred to herein as an IC recorder, is taken asan example.

Referring to FIG. 1, the IC recorder 1 includes a recording section 10for converting an output signal from a microphone 11 into audio data forstorage in a semiconductor memory 9 and a reproducing section 20 forreading out the speech data stored in the semiconductor memory 9 forconversion into an audio signal for driving a speaker 24. The ICrecorder 1 also includes a controller 30 for controlling for example therecording section 10, a power source section 50 for supplying power tofor example the controller 30 and an operating section 60 for the userto perform various operations.

Referring to FIG. 1, the recording section 10 includes an amplifier 12for amplifying an output signal from the microphone 11 and an automaticgain controller (AGC) for adjusting the level of the output signalamplified by the amplifier 12 to an appropriate level. The recordingsection 10 also includes an encoder 14 for converting an output signalof the AGC 13 into audio data and a buffer memory 15 for delaying theaudio data from the encoder 14.

The microphone 11 converts an input speech into electrical signals whichare then supplied to the amplifier 12. The amplifier 12 amplifies theaudio signal with are routed to the AGC 13 The AGC 13 amplifies theaudio signal amplified by the amplifier 12 to an appropriate level androutes the resulting signal to the encoder 14.

Since the audio signal exhibits strong correlation, the encoder 14encodes the audio signal with a small data volume by for example anadaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) for generating audiodata which is supplied to the buffer memory 15.

The buffer memory 15 has a capacity corresponding to a pre-set delaytime and delays the audio data supplied from the encoder 14 a pre-settime to supply the delayed data to the semiconductor memory 9. Thebuffer memory 15 is used for preventing recording on the memory 9 of thenoise generated at the time of switching of a contact of a switchactuated on pressing a pushbutton as later explained.

The semiconductor memory 9 is comprised of a non-volatile semiconductormemory, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM) in which the stored contents of the memory device are noterased but held even if the driving power source of the memory is turnedoff. The semiconductor memory 9 stores the audio data supplied from thebuffer memory 15 as well as audio data specifying in which area theaudio data has been stored. Specifically, the semiconductor memory 9 hasa capacity of for example 16 MBytes such that it can store 8 minutes ofaudio data corresponding to the speech of 200 to 3400 Hz in a SP mode aslater explained while it can store 16 minutes of audio datacorresponding to the speech of 200 to 1700 Hz in an LP mode.

The reproducing section 20 has a decoder 21 and a filter 22 forconverting speech data read out from the semiconductor memory 9 intoso-called PAM signal and an amplifier 23 for amplifying the audio signalfrom the filter 22 for supplying the amplified audio signal to a speaker24, as shown in FIG. 1.

The decoder 21 is a counterpart of the encoder 14 of the recordingsection 10 and decodes the audio data read out from the semiconductormemory 9, that is the audio data encoded in accordance with the ADPCMsystem, for generating so-called PAM signal. The filter 22 removeshigh-frequency components higher than the audio range from the PAMsignal to output an audio signal. The amplifier 2a amplifies the audiosignal supplied from the decoder 21 for driving the speaker 24. In thismanner, the recorded speech is outputted from the speaker 24.

Referring to FIG. 1, the controller 30 includes a ROM 31 having storedtherein a program for controlling the operation of the IC recorder 1,and a micro-computer (CPU) 32 for executing the program stored in theROM 31 for controlling the semiconductor memory 9 or the recordingsection 10. The controller 30 also includes a timer 33 for measuring thetime and a random access memory (RAM) 34 for temporarily storing time orthe results of program execution

The controller 30 is supplied with the signal from a variety ofpushbuttons 61 of the operating section 60. If any one of pluralpushbuttons 61 is pressed, the program associated with the pushbutton 61is read out from the ROM 31 and executed for controlling various parts.If for example a recording start button 61 k is pressed, the CPU 32reads out and executes the program associated with the recording fromthe ROM 31 for actuating the amplifier 12, AGC 13 or the encoder 14 forperforming control such that audio data delayed a pre-set time by thebuffer memory 15 will be written and stored in a vacant area of thesemiconductor memory 9 for prohibiting recording of the noise generatedon actuation of the pushbutton 61. The controller 30 controls thewriting and readout of audio data on or from the semiconductor memory 9such that it performs control of affixing index numbers for identifying99 audio data in two files A and B of the semiconductor memory 9 andwriting the audio data and the index numbers and reading out the audiodata in accordance with the index numbers. A quartz oscillator 35 foractuating the timer 33 is connected to the semiconductor memory 9 forreading out the audio data recorded on the semiconductor memory 9 atpre-set time. A display panel 40 is also connected to the controller 30such that the CPU 32 displays the operating state or the operatingsequence for the IC recorder 1 on the display section 40. The displaysection 40 includes a liquid display panel 41 of low power consumptionand a back-light 42 for illuminating the liquid display panel 41. If,for example, a menu/feed button 61 a of the operating section 60 ispressed, the CPU 60 sequentially displays the date and time on thedisplay section 40 so that the user can check the display for settingthe timer 33. The operation of the back-light 42 will be explainedsubsequently,

If the state of pressing of a lid opening detection switch 55 isnullified during the recording operation, the CPU 32 reads out andexecutes the program of terminating the recording operation or thereproducing operation and the program of writing the TOC informationfrom the RPM 31 for terminating the operation of recording orreproduction and for simultaneously storing the management informationspecifying in which area the written audio data has been recorded. Ifthe pressed state of the lid opening detection switch 55 is nullified,the CPU 32 reads out from the ROM 31 the program of switching from theusual power consumption mode to the low power consumption mode as laterexplained and executes the read-out program for effecting mode switchingprocessing.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating section 60 is explained indetail. The IC recorder 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is portable and has anouter casing of the size of the palm within which is mounted a printedcircuit board carrying electrical circuits such as the above-mentionedrecording section 10 and the reproducing section 20. The IC recorder 1is shaped so as to be held easily with left hand so that the recordercan be used in conjunction with the usual writing operation with theright hand. On the outer casing 1 a are mounted plural pushbuttons 61constituting the operating section 60. On the outer casing 1 a ismounted a hand strap used for transportation of the IC recorder 1 asshown in FIG. 2.

The operating section 60 includes a menu-feed button 61 a, a playbackbutton 61 b for starting the reproduction and a return/feed button 61 cfor setting the index numbers. The operating section 60 also includes afile switching button 61 d for file switching, a stop button 61 f forstopping the recording and an SP/LP button 61 f for switching betweenthe SP mode and the LP mode. The operating section 60 also includes alight button 61 g for lighting the back-light 42, a display button 61 hand an index button 61 i for setting the index. The operating sectionultimately includes an erasure button 61 i for erasing the audio datastored in the semiconductor memory 9 and a recording start button 61 kfor starting the recording,

Of these operating buttons, the playback button 61 b and the return/feedbutton 61 c, used often, are mounted on a lateral side of a cut-outformed on an upper left portion of the outer casing la, as shown in FIG.2, for permitting facilitated operation of these buttons with the leftthumb finger. The recording start button 61 k, also used often, isconstituted by a pushbutton of a larger size mounted on the majorsurface of the outer casing 1 a for permitting facilitated operation ofthese buttons with the left thumb finger.

The operating section 60 also has a holding switch 62, a recordingand/or reproducing lamp 63 indicating that recording or reproduction isgoing on, a volume 64 for adjusting the loudness of the reproduced soundand an earphone jack 65. The recording and/or reproducing lamp 63 ismounted on the major surface of the outer casing 1 a for facilitatingvisual inspection during use. The holding switch 62, volume 64 and theearphone jack 65, used less often, are mounted on the lateral side ofthe outer casing 1 a.

On the major surface of the outer casing 1 a are mounted theabove-mentioned microphone 11, speaker 24 and so forth. For reducing thesize of the IC recorder 1 for improving portability of the IC recorder1, the microphone 11 and the recording start button 61 k are mountedclose to each other.

The power source section 50 is now explained. Referring to FIG. 4, thepower source section 50 includes a battery 51, a DC/DC converter 52 forraising the output voltage of the battery 51 and a voltage detectioncircuit 53 for detecting the output voltage of the battery 51. The powersource section 50 also includes a capacitor 54 charged by the outputvoltage of the DC/Dc converter and a lid opening detection switch 55 fordetecting the opening of the battery holding spacing.

The IC recorder 1 is of the size of a palm for facility intransportation, as described above. This battery 51, a sole ‘tan-4’ drycell for reducing the size of the device, is housed in a battery housingspacing 71 of a size to hold the ‘tan-4’ dry cell formed in the backsurface of the outer casing la, as shown in FIG. 3. The battery housingspacing 71 is closed by a lid 72. In the battery housing spacing 71 aremounted connection pieces 73 a, 73 b associated with the plus and minussides of the battery 51, respectively. When the battery 51 is housed inthe battery housing spacing, the connection pieces 73 a, 73 b areconnected to the battery 51 so that the current is supplied to thecircuitry of the IC recorder 1.

The DC/DC converter 52 raises the output voltage of the battery 51, thatis 1.5V, to a voltage necessary for operating the circuitry of theamplifiers 12, 23 or the CPU 32 for supplying the current of the voltageto the circuitry of the IC recorder 1.

The voltage detection circuit 53 detects the output voltage of thebattery 51 for stopping the operation of the DC/DC converter 52 when theoutput voltage of the battery 51 is equal to for example 50 V. Thus, thepower stored in the battery 51 is not consumed after its output is equalto the pre-set value of for example 0.8 V. That is, even if the DC/DCconverter 52 is used, the voltage of the battery 51 can be preventedfrom being thereby suddenly lowered, thus preventing liquid leakage fromoccurrence.

The capacitor 54 is a so-called back-up capacitor connected between theground and a power source line to which are connected only the DC/DCconverter 52 and the timer 33 of the controller 30. That is, if theDC/DC converter 52 is in operation, that is if the mode is the usualpower consumption mode, the device is operated by the current suppliedfrom the DC/DC converter 52, whereas, if the DC/DC converter 52 ishalted as when the output voltage of the battery 51 is lowered or whenthe battery 51 is taken out for battery exchange, that is if the mode isthe low power consumption mode, the device is operated by the currentfrom the capacitor 52. The possible back-up time of the capacitor 54 isfor example approximately 3 minutes.

The lid-opening detection switch 55 is used for detecting the openedstate of the lid 72. Referring to FIG. 3, the switch 55 is providedlaterally of the battery housing spacing 71. If the lid 72 is closed,the switch can be pressed by a protrusion 74 provided on the lid 72. Ifthe user moves the lid 72 n a direction of opening the spacing 71relative to the outer casing la, the thrust state by the protrusion 74is nullified, so that a signal specifying the opened state of the lid 72is furnished to the controller 30.

More specifically, the protrusion 74 is formed on one end of the lid andretainers, not shown, are formed on left and right lateral sides of thelid 72. On the back side of the outer casing 1 a is formed a shoulder 75for surrounding the battery housing spacing 71. On the left and rightlateral sides of the shoulder 75 are formed retention recesses, notshown. By fitting the retainers on the left and right lateral sides ofthe shoulder 75 in the retention recesses in the left and right lateralsides of the shoulder 75, the lid 72 is movably mounted on the outercasing 1 a for opening or closing the spacing 71.

The opening/closure of the lid 72 is achieved by the user sliding theretainers along the retention recesses. If the lid 72 remains closed,the lid opening detection switch 55 is in the pushed-in state by theprotrusion 74, such that, when the lid 72 is slid and opened, the thruststate of the switch by the protrusion 74 is nullified. In this nullifiedstate, a signal specifying the opened state of the lid 72 is supplied tothe controller 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, the sequence of operations for recording the speechin the above-described IC recorder 1 is as follows: First, at step ST1,the SP/LP button 61 f is pressed for selecting whether the recordingsystem is in the LP mode or in the SP mode. The indications ‘SP’ or ‘LP’appear on the liquid display panel 41. Then, at step ST2, the fileswitching button 61 d is pressed for selecting the file VC or ‘B’provided in the semiconductor memory 9. The selected file name isdisplayed on the liquid display panel 41.

If then the recording start button 61 k is pressed at step ST3, therecording/reproducing lamp 63 is lighted and the recording state isinitiated. If the user speaks over the microphone 11, audio data iswritten in a specified area of the semiconductor memory 9. The stopbutton 61 e is pressed at step ST4 for extinguishing therecording/reproducing lamp 63 for nullifying the recording state. Atthis time, not only the audio data but also the TOC information, filenumber and the recorded speech data are recorded in the semiconductormemory 9. If the user desires to record additional audio data, the audiodata is recorded in the area similar to that of the initially set modeand file with the index number next to the initially accorded indexnumber provided that the recording of such additional data is directlyafter recording of the initial speech data. That is, the mode selectionand file selection operations of the steps ST1 and ST2 can be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sequence of operations for reproducing therecorded speech data is as follows: First, at step ST11, the fileswitching button 61 d is pressed. This selects the file ‘A’ or ‘B’provided on the semiconductor memory 9 and the selected file isdisplayed on the liquid display panel 41. At step ST12, the return/feedbutton 61 c is pressed for selecting the desired index number recordedon the semiconductor memory 9. At step ST13, the playback button 61 band the recording/reproducing lamp 63 are lighted and the audio datadesired by the user is reproduced. If the reproducing operation by theIC recorder 1 is to be stopped, the stop button 61 e is pressed to stopthe reproducing operation, with the recording/reproducing lamp 63 beingturned off. If desired, to proceed or revert to the next item, thereturn/feed button 61 c is pressed, while the reproducing or recordingoperation is not going on, in order to select and reproduce the next orprevious index number.

Referring to FIG. 7, the sequence of operations for erasing the recordedaudio data from the semiconductor memory 9 is as follows; If, at stepST21, the erasure button 61 j is pressed, with the audio data beingreproduced as shown in FIG. 6, processing transfers to step ST22 wherethe CPU 32 judges whether or not audio data selected by the user isbeing reproduced. If the erasure button 61 j is not pressed, processingtransfers to step ST31 to set a stand-by mode corresponding to theabsence of the recording/reproducing operations. If, at step ST22, theaudio data is being reproduced, processing transfers to step ST23 to setthe erasure confirming mode. In this erasure confirming mode, anindication ‘ERASE’ appears on the liquid display panel in order for theuser to recognize that the mode is the erasure confirming mode.

If the erasure confirming mode is set at step ST23, it is judged at stepST24 by the CPU 32 whether or not an operating button 61 other than theerasure button 61 j has been pressed. If, in this erasure confirmingmode state, the stop button 61 e is pressed, processing transfers tostep ST31 to set the stand-by state. If the operating buttons other thanthe stop button 61 e, such as the reproducing button 61 k or therecording start button 61 k, are pressed, processing transfers similarlyto step ST31 to set the stand-by mode. With the present IC recorder 1,if the user has pressed the operating button 61 other than the stopbutton 61 e in the erasure confirming mode by error, the mode is set tothe stand-by mode of step ST31 to prevent inadvertent erasure of theaudio data.

If the operating button 61 has not been pressed at step ST24, processingtransfers to step ST25 for judging whether or not the audio dataspecified by the user and currently being reproduced continues for 10seconds or longer. If the reproduced data continues for shorter than 10seconds, processing transfers to step ST26 where the audio data in itsentirety is reproduced. If the audio data has a duration less than 10seconds, processing transfers to step ST27 where the leading 5 secondportion and the trailing 5 second portion of the audio data beingreproduced are reproduced. By reproducing the audio data to be erased inits entirety at step ST26 and by reproducing the beginning 5 secondportion and the trailing 5 second portion of the audio data at stepST27, the user can confirm the audio data to be erased.

If, as the audio data is being reproduced at steps ST26 or ST27, theerasure button 61 j is again pressed at step ST28, processing transfersto step ST29 where the CPU 32 causes the erasure program stored in theRAM 34 to be executed for erasing the pre-set audio data recorded in thesemiconductor memory 9. If, when four items of speech data are recordedin the file ‘A’ and accorded the index numbers of from 1 to 4, the audiodata corresponding to the index number 3 is erased, the audio datacorresponding to the index number of 4 is newly accorded the indexnumber ‘3’. That is, if plural items of audio data are accorded withindex numbers, and an item disposed in the midst of the plural audiodata, the index numbers are padded to compensate for erasure.

If the audio data is erased, processing transfers to step ST31 to setthe stand-by mode. If, at step ST28, the erasure button 61 j has notbeen pressed, processing transfers to step ST30 for again reproducingthe audio data in order for the CPU 32 to judge whether or not thenumber of times of playback has exceeded 10. If the audio data has notbeen reproduced by more than ten times, processing reverts to ST3 tomaintain the erasure confirming mode. If, at step ST10, the audio datahas been reproduced by more than ten times, processing transfers to stepST11 to set the stand-by mode.

The above description has been directed to erasure of audio data itemsone-by-one from the semiconductor memory 9. If desired to erase therecorded audio data in its entirety, the file switching button 61 d isselected for selecting the file ‘A’ or ‘B’ and subsequently both theerasure button 61 j and the stop button 61 e are pressed simultaneously.Thus, the IC recorder 1 performs the complex operation of pressing theerasure button 61 j and the stop button 61 e simultaneously for evadinginadvertent erasure of the entire audio data recorded in the file ‘A’ or‘B’.

With the above-described IC recorder 1, since the audio data desired bythe user to erase from the semiconductor memory 9 is reproduced afterthe erasure button 61 j is pressed to set the erasure confirming mode,it becomes possible to prevent inadvertent erasure of all audio datarecorded in the file ‘A’ or ‘B’. If the if the audio data to be erasedcontinues for more than 10 seconds, only the beginning 5-second portionand the trailing 5 second portion of the audio data as required forconfirming the audio data are reproduced, it becomes possible to erasethe audio data easily without the audio data being reproduced for morethan the required time. Also, the IC recorder 1 can proceed from theerasure confirming mode to the standby mode even if the recording startbutton 61 k or the playback button 61 b are pressed in addition to thestop button 61 e with the erasure confirming mode, thus preventingmistaken erasure of audio data.

If the IC recorder 1 is dropped by careless handling by the user duringrecording such that the lid 72 is moved under the shock of descent in adirection of opening the spacing 71 to dismount the battery 51, the lidopening detection switch 55 detects such opening of the lid 72 to supplythe corresponding detection signal to the controller 30. If a signalspecifying the opening of the lid 72 is sent to the controller 30 of theIC recorder 1, the controller 30 causes the recording operation to beterminated while causing the TOC information to be written forspecifying in which area the written audio data has been stored. Thus,with the present IC recorder 1, if the current supply from the battery51 suddenly ceases during recording by sone reason or other, audio datacan be read out based on the written TOC information to reproduce therecorded speech.

If the signal specifying the opening of the lid 72 is supplied to the ICrecorder 1, the mode is switched from the usual power consumption modeto the low power consumption mode such as after termination processingof the recording operation. The low power consumption mode means thepower mode in which the recording or reproducing operation ceases and noindication is made on the liquid display panel 41 with only the timer 33operating by the power supplied by the capacitor, only for timecounting.

The power mode selection for the IC recorder 1 is selected as shown inFIG. 8, that is, it is first checked at step 41 whether or not the lid72 of the battery housing spacing 71 is opened. If the lid 72 is opened,it is checked at step 42 whether or not the low power consumption modeis set. If the low power consumption mode is not set, that is if themode is the usual power consumption mode, it is checked at step 43whether or not the operation such as recording or reproduction is goingon. If the the operation such as recording or reproduction is going on,the operation end program is read out from ROM 31 to carry out theoperation end processing. Simultaneously with the operation endprocessing, the TOC information writing program is read out from the ROM31 to execute the TOC information writing at step 44. When theseprocessing operations come to a close, the mode is switched from theusual power consumption mode the low power consumption mode at step 45.If the recording or reproducing operation is not going on at step 3, theprocessing at step 3 is not made but the mode is immediately switchedfrom the usual power consumption mode to the low power consumption mode.

With the IC recorder 1, the mode is switched in this manner to the lowpower consumption mode, so that, if the battery 51 is dismounted byerror and hence current supply from the battery ceases suddenly, thepower supply from the capacitor 54 is sustained, with the resultthat-time counting by the timer 33 can be continued by the powersupplied from the capacitor 54 to cause no disorder in time counting.The normal function can be restored by mounting the battery 51 again inposition within three minutes within which the back-up power of thecapacitor 54 is sustained.

With the IC recorder 1, if the battery 51 is dismounted by error duringrecording to interrupt recording, the battery 51 can again be loaded inposition and the lid 72 of the battery housing spacing 71 closed. Atthis time, the signal from the lid opening detection switch 55 ceases.However, programming can be made so that the index number correspondingto the recorded contents is automatically selected at this time forreproducing the audio data directly previous to the stop of recording.The recorded data is not limited to audio data but may also be dynamicdata such as moving picture data.

On the liquid display panel 41 of the IC recorder 1, data and time aredisplayed based on an output of the timer 33. For setting this function,the menu/feed button 61 a is first pressed. This displays the data onthe liquid display panel 41 to set the date setting mode. In the ICrecorder 1, date can be set by pressing the return/feed button 61 c. Ifin this state the menu/feed button 61 a is pressed, the IC recorder 1 isswitched to the time setting mode for displaying the time on the liquiddisplay panel 41. The return/feed button 61 c can be pressed for settingtime in the IC recorder 1. Finally, the time setting mode isterminated—by pressing the stop button 61 e.

The IC recorder 1 can switch the display contents of audio datacorresponding to the index number designated in the liquid crystaldisplay panel 41. When the audio data is recorded in the semiconductormemory 9, the IC recorder 1 simultaneously records the recording timeand date and the recording time. When the display button 61 h ispressed, the program of changing the display contents displayed on theliquid crystal display panel 41 of the IC recorder 1 is read out fromthe ROM 31 and executed to change the display contents of the liquidcrystal display panel 41. Specifically, by pressing the display button61 h, the recording date, recording time and residual recordable timeare sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41.

If the user manipulates the IC recorder 1 in a dark environment, theback-light 42 can be lighted on the display unit 40. Referring to FIG.9, if the light button 61 g is pressed, the CPU 32 of the IC recorder 1proceeds to step ST51 to check whether or not the light button 61 g hasbeen pressed. If the light button 61 g has been pressed, processingtransfers to step ST52 and, if otherwise, processing transfers to stepST56. At step ST52, the CPU 32 resets the timer 33 to start timecounting. If the timer 33 is reset, processing transfers to step ST53 tojudge whether or not the back-light 42 has been turned on for 10seconds. Within 10 seconds since lighting of the back-light 42, theback-light 42 continues to be lighted, whereas, if the time of 10seconds has lapsed, the back-light 42 is turned off at step ST55.

If at step ST54 the back-light 42 continues to be lighted, the CPU 32reverts to step ST51 to judge whether or not the light-button 61 g hasbeen pressed. If the CPU 32 finds that the light-button 61 g has notbeen pressed, processing transfers to step ST56. At step ST56, the CPU32 judges whether or not any one of the pushbuttons 61 of the timer 33has been pressed with the back-light 42 in the lighted state. If, atstep ST57, the CPU 32 finds that any one of the pushbuttons 61 of thetimer 33 has been pressed, with the back-light 42 in the lighted state,the CPU 32 again resets the timer 33 to start time counting. If none ofthe pushbuttons 61 has been pressed, processing again reverts to stepST53. At step ST53, it is judged whether or not the back-light 42 hasbeen turned on for 10 seconds as counted by the timer 33. Within 10seconds as from lighting, the lighted state is maintained, whereas, ifthe time of 10 seconds has elapsed, the back-light 42 is turned off atstep ST5.

In the foregoing decryption, it is assumed that the timer 33 is reset ifall of the pushbuttons 61 have been pressed. It is of course possible tolimit the pushbuttons to those required to be operated as the userchecks the display contents of the liquid crystal display panel 41, suchas those for reproducing or recording operations. Since the timer 33 isnot reset in this case on pressing the irrelevant pushbuttons 61, theback-light 42 is turned off in 10 seconds thus preventing wasteful powerconsumption.

With the IC recorder 1, if pre-set pushbuttons 61 are pressed duringlighting of the back-light 42, the timer 33 is reset. Thus, if the usermanipulates as the or she checks the liquid crystal display panel 41 inthe dark, the back-light 42 is always in the lighted state. Since thetimer of the IC recorder 1 is reset every 10 seconds, it becomespossible to prevent the back-light 42 from continuing to be lightedinadvertently.

Although the foregoing description has been made in connection with theIC recorder according to the present invention, the present inventioncan naturally be applied to a small-sized electronic equipments havingexcellent portability, such as a recording and/or reproducing apparatushaving a disc cartridge as a recording medium because the small-sizedelectronic equipments can be carried easily and hence manipulatedfrequently by the user in the dark. The recorded data is not limited toaudio data but may also be dynamic data, such as moving picture data.

1. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprising: a memoryconfigured to store a plurality of digital audio programs; a selectorconfigured to select a digital audio program from said plurality ofdigital audio programs stored in said memory; a reproducing unit,implemented by at least one processing circuit, configured to reproducesaid selected digital audio program; an erasure director configured todirect an erasure of said selected digital audio program beingreproduced; and a control unit, implemented by the at least oneprocessing circuit, configured to erase said selected digital audioprogram being reproduced by said reproducing unit from said plurality ofstored digital audio programs on condition that said erasure directordirects erasure of said reproduced digital audio program a second timeduring reproduction of said selected digital audio program subsequent todirecting erasure of said selected digital audio program a first timeduring reproduction of said selected digital audio program.
 2. Therecording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid control unit operates so that, when said digital audio programbeing reproduced from said memory is shorter than a pre-set value, anentirety of said digital audio program is reproduced from said memory.3. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein said control unit operates so that, when said digital audioprogram stored in said memory is being reproduced therefrom, and saiderasure director directs erasure of said reproduced digital audioprogram, said digital audio program being reproduced from said memory isreproduced a pre-set amount of time from an end of said reproduceddigital audio program.
 4. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit operates so that, whensaid digital audio program being reproduced from said memory is longerthan a pre-set value, a leading portion and a trailing portion of saiddigital audio program being reproduced from said memory are reproducedfrom said memory.
 5. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit operates so that when saiddigital audio program stored in said memory is being reproduced and saiderasure director directs erasure of said digital audio program beingreproduced, the erasure operation is discontinued, when after saiddigital audio program being reproduced from said memory is reproducedfor a pre-set amount of time and said erasure director no longer directserasure of said digital audio program being reproduced.
 6. The recordingand/or reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a display and illuminator configured to illuminate said display based onan input from said erasure director, said control unit being configuredto operate said illuminator for a pre-set time based on an input fromsaid erasure director for illuminating said illuminator.
 7. Therecording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid control unit includes a timer started based on an input from saiderasure director to initiate measurement of the lighting time of theilluminator.
 8. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed inclaim 7, wherein, when said input to initiate measurement is againentered during measurement of the lighting time for said pre-set time,said timer re-measures the lighting time of the illuminator as from thetime said input is again entered.
 9. The recording and/or reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a digital/analogconverter configured to convert the digital audio program read out fromthe memory into an analog signal.
 10. The recording and/or reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory is a semiconductormemory.
 11. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said control unit controls erasing of a particulardigital audio program stored in said memory when input is entered tosaid erasure director directing erasure of said digital audio programafter said input directing erasure is entered during reproduction ofsaid particular digital audio program from said memory.
 12. Therecording and/or reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid control unit is operable to erase an entirety of said reproduceddigital audio program regardless of a position within said digital audioprogram at which said digital audio program is being reproduced whensaid erasure director directs erasure of said reproduced digital audioprogram the second time.
 13. The recording and/or reproducing apparatusas claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit is configured to erasean entirety of said selected digital audio program being reproduced bysaid reproducing unit from said plurality of stored digital audioprograms on condition that said erasure director directs erasure of saidreproduced digital audio program a second time during reproduction ofsaid selected digital audio program subsequent to directing erasure ofsaid selected digital audio program the first time during reproductionof said selected digital audio program.
 14. A method of a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus for erasing a digital audio program, themethod comprising: selecting said digital audio program from a pluralityof digital audio programs stored in a memory of said recording and/orreproducing apparatus; reproducing said selected digital audio program;receiving a first instruction to direct an erasure of said selecteddigital audio program being reproduced in said reproducing step; anderasing, by a processing circuit of said recording and/or reproducingapparatus, said selected digital audio program being reproduced in saidreproducing step from said plurality of stored digital audio programs oncondition that a second instruction to direct said erasure of saidreproduced digital audio program is received during reproduction of saidselected digital audio program subsequent to receiving said firstinstruction.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein, when saiddigital audio program being reproduced from said memory is shorter thana pre-set value, an entirety of said digital audio program is reproducedfrom said memory.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, whensaid digital audio program stored in said memory is being reproducedtherefrom, and said first instruction is received in said step ofreceiving, said digital audio program being reproduced from said memoryis reproduced a pre-set amount of time from an end of said reproduceddigital audio program.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein,when said digital audio program being reproduced from said memory islonger than a pre-set value, a leading portion and a trailing portion ofsaid digital audio program being reproduced from said memory arereproduced from said memory.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 14,wherein when said digital audio program stored in said memory is beingreproduced and said first instruction is received in said step ofreceiving, the erasure operation is discontinued, when after saiddigital audio program being reproduced from said memory is reproducedfor a pre-set amount of time and said second instruction is notreceived.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:illuminating, by an illuminator, a display based on an input from anerasure director; and operating said illuminator for a pre-set timebased on an input from said erasure director for illuminating saidilluminator.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:starting a timer based on an input from said erasure director toinitiate measurement of said lighting time of said illuminator.
 21. Themethod as claimed in claim 20, wherein, when said input to initiatemeasurement is again entered during measurement of said lighting timefor said pre-set time, the method further comprises: re-measuring, bythe timer, the lighting time of the illuminator as from the time saidinput is again entered.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising: converting, by a digital/analog converter, said digitalaudio program read out from the memory into an analog signal.
 23. Themethod as claimed in claim 14, wherein said memory is a semiconductormemory.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step oferasing comprises: erasing a particular digital audio program stored insaid memory when input is entered to an erasure director to directerasure of said digital audio program after said input to direct erasureis entered during reproduction of said particular digital audio programfrom said memory.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidstep of erasing comprises: erasing an entirety of said reproduceddigital audio program regardless of a position within said digital audioprogram at which said digital audio program is being reproduced whensaid second instruction is received.
 26. The method as claimed in claim14, wherein said step of erasing comprises: erasing an entirety of saidselected digital audio program being reproduced from said plurality ofstored digital audio programs on condition that said second instructionto direct said erasure of the reproduced digital audio program isreceived during reproduction of said selected digital audio programsubsequent to receiving said first instruction.
 27. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having embedded therein instructionswhich when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a methodof a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for erasing a digital audioprogram, the method comprising: selecting said digital audio programfrom a plurality of digital audio programs stored in a memory of saidrecording and/or reproducing apparatus; reproducing said selecteddigital audio program; receiving a first instruction to direct anerasure of said selected digital audio program being reproduced in saidreproducing step; and erasing, by a processing circuit of said recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, said selected digital audio program beingreproduced in said reproducing step from said plurality of storeddigital audio programs on condition that a second instruction to directsaid erasure of said reproduced digital audio program is received duringreproduction of said selected digital audio program subsequent toreceiving said first instruction.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 27,wherein, when said digital audio program being reproduced from saidmemory is shorter than a pre-set value, an entirety of said digitalaudio program is reproduced from said memory.
 29. The method as claimedin claim 28, wherein, when said digital audio program stored in saidmemory is being reproduced therefrom, and said first instruction isreceived in said step of receiving, said digital audio program beingreproduced from said memory is reproduced a pre-set amount of time froman end of said reproduced digital audio program.
 30. The method asclaimed in claim 27, wherein, when said digital audio program beingreproduced from said memory is longer than a pre-set value, a leadingportion and a trailing portion of said digital audio program beingreproduced from said memory are reproduced from said memory.
 31. Themethod as claimed in claim 27, wherein when said digital audio programstored in said memory is being reproduced and said first instruction isreceived in said step of receiving, the erasure operation isdiscontinued, when after said digital audio program being reproducedfrom said memory is reproduced for a pre-set amount of time and saidsecond instruction is not received.
 32. The method as claimed in claim27, further comprising: illuminating, by an illuminator, a display basedon an input from an erasure director; and operating said illuminator fora pre-set time based on an input from said erasure director forilluminating said illuminator.
 33. The method as claimed in claim 32,further comprising: starting a timer based on an input from said erasuredirector to initiate measurement of said lighting time of saidilluminator.
 34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein, when saidinput to initiate measurement is again entered during measurement ofsaid lighting time for said pre-set time, the method further comprises:re-measuring, by the timer, the lighting time of the illuminator as fromthe time said input is again entered.
 35. The method as claimed in claim27, further comprising: converting, by a digital/analog converter, saiddigital audio program read out from the memory into an analog signal.36. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said memory is asemiconductor memory.
 37. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein thestep of erasing comprises: erasing a particular digital audio programstored in said memory when input is entered to an erasure director todirect erasure of said digital audio program after said input to directerasure is entered during reproduction of said particular digital audioprogram from said memory,
 38. The method as claimed in claim 27, whereinsaid step of erasing comprises: erasing an entirety of said reproduceddigital audio program regardless of a position within said digital audioprogram at which said digital audio program is being reproduced whensaid second instruction is received.
 39. The method as claimed in claim27, wherein said step of erasing comprises: erasing an entirety of saidselected digital audio program being reproduced from said plurality ofstored digital audio programs on condition that said second instructionto direct said erasure of the reproduced digital audio program isreceived during reproduction of said selected digital audio programsubsequent to receiving said first instruction.